by Alan Filewod
PM: If I have hurt you – don’t let me live to see that day. (They embrace.)
Wife: Trust knowledge – only the facts.
PM: I must find her.
Wife: I will call her.
PM: Now. Call her now!
Wife: All right. You should rest.
SCENE SIXTEEN
(Bar. Marcus enters – sees Newhouse.)
Marcus: What are you doing here? I thought you’d been run out of town.
Newhouse: I’ve returned.
Marcus: And you didn’t call me, your old friend!
Newhouse: Perceptive as ever, Marcus. What’s new to screw?
Marcus: Nothing.
Newhouse: Yeah, this place is usually packed at this hour.
Marcus: The whole scene has changed, Newhouse.
Newhouse: There’s always new hotspots, but where are the ladies?
Marcus: It’s a desert. All the regulars have disappeared.
Newhouse: Come on –
Marcus: Jennifer retired – married. Teddie disappeared – rumours of her not feeling well. Caused quite a stir in the circles – that put everyone on their guard. And Muffy’s too active. No one will touch her –
Newhouse: Let’s check out the Underbelly.
Marcus: That club’s crawling with the same old scum, but public sex at arm’s-length is the new order of the night. They have these “Lite Your Skirt and Fly” parties. But once the skirt is lifted the rule is – Look But Don’t Touch. There’s so little sex to go around now that whenever anyone has the nerve, it makes sense to share it with hundreds. Flirting is definitely the end of the line. Sex is dead.
Newhouse: Men like you, Marcus, must still – engage.
Marcus: No – I’m in love –
Newhouse: Marcus, Marcus, you’ve forsaken me – no more lust among the ruins –
Marcus: – I’m in love –
Newhouse: – you’re just going to get married and join the mob.
Marcus: Can’t. She already married – to a protégé of your father’s –
Newhouse: Who?
Marcus: – Gordon –
Newhouse: – and she loves you?
Marcus: Yes. But she knows about my past, so I’m a risk.
Newhouse: Marcus, you are being strung along.
Marcus: No, Anna loves me, however reluctantly. She’s scared and a little guilty, (pause) I’ve been tested and the results are negative. I want to prove my love to her –
Newhouse: – by proving you’re negative –
Marcus: Yes. To be tested is to love. Now we will be able to enjoy our love –
Newhouse: – except her husband –
Marcus: – that’s why she meets me here –
Newhouse: – sounds paranoid –
Newhouse: – he’s a real prick. Order me a drink – I’ve got to bleed the lizard.
(Marcus exits.)
Chambers: You’re not going to start this Anna Gordon business – again?
Newhouse: Wipe that look off your face.
Bartender: Where’s Marcus? I’ve got a call –
Newhouse: Is it a woman?
Bartender: Yes, his lady friend.
Newhouse: He’s coming right back – I’ll hold for him. (voice) You try to be faithful, but you can’t, can you? Why do you waste yourself on that ridiculous husband? (laughing) Anna, relax, it’s Newhouse. (pause) I was, but I’ve returned to more familiar pastures, (pause) No, no, no, please don’t explain. I’m hardly jealous. In fact, I’m glad to be of service, (waiter’s voice) What would you care for this evening? (pause) Ah, a rendezvous avec Marcus chez toi? A quelle heure? (pause) Ten o’clock. Is the flashlight still your signal? (pause) The more things change, the more – yes, yes, your secret is safe. Just leave the sordid details in my capable hands. Ciao. (hangs up) Anna. I’d forgotten how desirable you are.
Chambers: You’re thinking again – I can see it in your pants.
Newhouse: You know I take great pleasure in playing tricks. We’ve got a busy night ahead of us, Chambers.
Chambers: Some new perversity.
Newhouse: We are going to pay a visit to my old flame – Anna.
Chambers: I disapprove. You won’t get away with this forever.
Newhouse: No more preaching – please –
Chambers: I’m right.
Newhouse: Right is relative. You’re my assistant. If you want to continue earning a living, it would be “right” for you to co-operate with my initiatives.
Chambers: All right. I’m at your command – but under threat.
(Marcus returns.)
Newhouse: Marcus, she called you at the bar – she wouldn’t identify herself – I wanted to get you – but she said it was urgent and she whispered, “Tell him to come to my home – 11:00 p.m. – the flashlight will signal him.” It’s your lucky night – her husband must be going out of town. I’d avoid being seen by the neighbours – park up the street.
(Minister of External Affairs enters the bar.)
Marcus: Isn’t that your father?
Newhouse: What’s he doing here?
Chambers: Searching for you, I suspect.
Newhouse: Marcus, I’ll be right back. Good to see you, Pops – in a place like this.
MEA: What are you doing here?
Newhouse: This isn’t the capital of Guyana?
MEA: I cancelled your appointment with Robert Baker.
Newhouse: You’re upset with me.
MEA: I heard from Washington – all the sordid details about that woman. I know too much – you’ll have to leave the capital.
Newhouse: It’s my home.
MEA: It’s my home too. Fortunately, the few people who know about your masquerade are discreet. They’re protecting me – not you – if that’s what you think! Your behaviour threatens my career. If the media vampires find out, they’ll suck me dry.
Newhouse: It’s my duty to keep you honest, father.
MEA: But you, my son, have much bigger problems. Isabel Duke is going to be tested. What if she’s a carrier – what if you are?
Newhouse: I don’t give death much consideration – it impedes my performance.
MEA: You’d better. The congressman’s daughter will test positive.
Newhouse: How do you know?
MEA: I told you – I know too much.
Newhouse: I don’t believe you.
MEA: If you don’t believe me – take the test.
(pause)
MEA: I won’t cut you off if you do exactly as I say. Stay at the estate until we know whether she lays charges.
Newhouse: Whatever happened to diplomatic immunity?
MEA: Grow up. I can stick-handle myself around the law, but the front page – and it’s a lot more dangerous – is beyond my control. No one must know of your return – you stay away from Baker – stay in hiding.
(MEA begins to exit – pauses with Chambers.)
MEA: I want daily reports by phone – nothing on paper.
(MEA exits. Chambers joins Newhouse.)
Chambers: Your father’s very upset with you.
Newhouse: It suits him. Now we must prepare for what suits me.
Chambers: We are not going ahead with your plan.
Newhouse: One word to my father – and you’re out of a job.
Chambers: You’re a plague on women. You love and hate them. You seduce and destroy them. You worship and betray them. Men like you are supposed to be dead.
Newhouse: We are an endangered species.
Chambers: And yet like some monster you persist.
Newhouse: It’s my destiny.
(Newhouse joins Marcus.)
Marcus: Was “Dad” pleased to see you?
Newhouse: Father was quite overcome with emotion – he had so much to tell me. But I prefer to talk of lovers – now this unfaithful married lady – does she –
Marcus: Newhouse, you don’t understand women today, they want romance – sex is rarely mentioned. We’ve gone back to wooing –
Newhouse: I don’t mind – actually it presents more challenge to men like us.
Marcus: You’re passé, Newhouse, you’re a womanizer –
Newhouse: Please, you’re not going to tell me that I hate them too –
Marcus: That’s obvious –
Newhouse: – not true. I love women. But I love each and every one of them – and there’s my problem.
Marcus: Her husband just walked in! Probably traced the call!
Newhouse: Now you’re paranoid.
Marcus: You don’t know him – the man’s a lunatic!
Newhouse: Leave – out the back. Go!
(Marcus exits.)
Chambers: She won’t think you’re Marcus. You can always tell who you’re making love with – at least that’s what I’m told.
Newhouse: What could the faithful bureaucrat’s wife say – and to who? The truth is my disguise.
SCENE SEVENTEEN
(Psychiatrist’s couch.)
Isabel: I know I could be arrested.
I know I’ve hurt Robert.
I know the President is furious.
I know my parents would die of shame.
I know it’s dangerous, (pause) But I don’t know who he is. It wasn’t important – names weren’t necessary. It was just what it was. Spontaneous. Animal. I never knew such intimacy, (pause) What do they expect? I spent all my energy, my effort, not sleeping with Robert. All we ever did was talk about it. Talk about waiting for the right time, the right place – the right. Why were we so good, so obedient, so … afraid of each other? I’m no fool. I’m cautious. I think before I act. I follow the rules. I order my life, I contemplate and temper my needs – but this was different. I just let go – that’s all. Released myself. Our eyes met … across the room. He moved toward me … and took my hand … and led me away. He said nothing – we both knew. He knew – exactly how I was feeling – did exactly what I needed – knew me – it was honest – he was honest, (pause) How will I find him – warn him? How am I going to say it? I know I must tell him – it’s only fair. But who is he?
SCENE EIGHTEEN
(Anna’s home. Back door.)
Newhouse: Turn off that flashlight. I prefer darkness.
Anna: You’re not Marcus.
Newhouse: No Anna, I’m not Marcus.
Anna: Newhouse … what are you doing here?
Newhouse: Turn it off!
(Newhouse grabs flashlight.)
Anna: You shouldn’t be here. What if –
Newhouse: It’s early. Marcus isn’t expected for another hour.
(Pause)
Anna: Then we have a little time. You look great.
(Doorbell rings.)
Commander: Anna! Anna!
Anna: It’s my husband.
Commander: Open the front door! Anna – are you there?!
Anna: Newhouse – I’m sorry – I have to do this. Donald! Help!
Newhouse: What are you doing? Don’t panic.
Commander: Anna! What the hell is going on?!
Anna: I’m in the back! Help me!
Commander: What’s wrong? Who’s there? (enters) Anna, turn on the lights.
(Newhouse shines flashlight in Commander’s eyes.)
Commander: What are you doing in my house – with my wife?
Newhouse: I don’t want to hurt you.
Commander: So it’s you, Newhouse, you little shit. I’m going to enjoy this –
Newhouse: – I’m armed –
Commander: – take care of yourself – (Newhouse hits Commander with flashlight.)
Newhouse: I am. (hits him again) I do. (hits him again)
Chambers: Stop it! You’re killing him. Oh God!
Commander: Anna! Anna …
(Commander Gordon dies.)
Chambers: You killed him you killed him you killed him –
Newhouse: He would have died eventually.
Chambers: Let’s go – please – your father –
Newhouse: I’m a stranger, Anna. Your husband caught a thief breaking into your house. The thief attacked him. If you identify me to the the police, I’ll identify you to the Health Authority. Anna! Do you understand?! (pause) Go phone the police. Go!
(Anna goes inside. Newhouse and Chambers leave.)
Chambers: What was that about the Health Authority?
Newhouse: Nothing. It will keep her quiet. I think we should visit the family estate.
Chambers: What do you think I’ve been saying! I should warn you that I told your father –
(MEA enters.)
Newhouse: Oh Christ!
MEA: I told you to get out of town – what are you doing at Gordon’s?
Newhouse: Just saying ’au revoir’ to an old friend –
MEA: – your brain’s in your fucking crotch – what’s going on, Chambers? –
Chambers: – well – the Commander met with a slight accident –
Newhouse: – and he seems to be slightly dead –
MEA: – God help us all – who did it?
Newhouse: It could have been anybody – Anna was a very popular lady –
MEA: Get the hell out of my sight – I’ll call the estate later and you’d better be there.
(Newhouse and Chambers encounter Marcus as he approaches Anna’s house. MEA observes.)
Marcus: Why doesn’t she turn on the light? Where is she? Who’s there?
Newhouse: Marcus.
Marcus: Newhouse? Jesus you scared me. What are you doing here?
Newhouse: I’m in trouble with Pops – I need to borrow some money – he’s forcing me to leave town again.
Chambers: Can we get out of here?
Marcus: Who’s that?
Newhouse: My assistant.
Marcus: What’s the problem?
Newhouse: Further intrigues of love. I couldn’t help myself. It was sacrifice – or be sacrificed.
(Marcus gives Newhouse money.)
Marcus: Whatever you’re up to, Newhouse, you’re on your own – I’ve got an appointment.
Newhouse: Thanks, friend. Have the best of nights, Marcus –
Chambers: – in jail.
(Marcus at Gordon house. Trips over body, picks up flashlight. Officer shines light on Marcus.)
Officer: Who’s there?
Marcus: A friend – a neighbour. What’s going on? Where’s Anna – Mrs Gordon? I’m going to call the police.
Officer: I think you’d better stay right there, sir – I am the police.
Marcus: Is she all right?
(Anna appears at doorway.)
Officer: Don’t worry, Mrs Gordon.
Marcus: Anna!
Officer: Everything’s under control. I think you should go back inside.
Marcus: Anna!
(MEA in phone booth.)
MEA: Gordon’s been killed – yes dead – and they’re bringing in one Marcus Lavotte. I’ll get him a lawyer. He doesn’t talk to the detectives, the media leeches – nobody until he’s seen this lawyer, (pause) Well – just keep it quiet as long as you can. (pause) And I need a safe house for Anna Gordon – somewhere the bloodhounds can’t find her. Can you do that? (pause) My son’s involved somehow, (pause) No! He didn’t kill Gordon! (pause) No – she didn’t identify him – (hangs up) – yet. And I don’t know why.
ACT TWO
SCENE NINETEEN
(Masked Evangelists march.)
Com:
Political battle
Spawned in Parliament
Spills onto our streets.
Faceless, nameless gangs
Armed with cans of paint
Breed petty tyranny –
As if they were immune – and
Inflict more pain
On those who suffer most.
We turn to leaders in time of crisis.
But can our Prime Minister,
Under slanderous attack,
Survive this campaign of hate,
Endure the challenge to his authority?
Will he show us stre
ngth,
Courage and Tolerance?
SCENE TWENTY
(Country wedding. Groom Patrick and bride Amy – showered by confetti – lead a crowd toward the reception. At rear, Newhouse and Chambers chat with Angus, the bride’s father.)
Angus: Oh, it’s no intrusion at all!
Newhouse: I’m here for a little rest and relaxation after my last assignment, Angus. When I heard Amy was getting married I just had to express my best wishes.
Angus: There’s lots of food – good country cooking. Go ahead, feel like one of the family.
Patrick: (to Amy) Just because his family owns half the town – it’s our wedding isn’t it?
Any: Patrick what are two more guests?
Angus: (to Newhouse) I only wish your whole family could be here.
Patrick: He’s always had this reputation –
Amy: You’re jealous.
Patrick: No – just because he is handsome, wealthy, physically fit – (they pose for photo) – it doesn’t mean I’m jealous.
Amy: This dress wasn’t fitted right.
Patrick: You’re not having second thoughts, are you Amy? (Amy stares at him.) Just asking – I have to tell you something.
Amy: All right. Say it.
Patrick: I’m not feeling what I’m supposed to be feeling.
Amy: What’s wrong?
Patrick: I’m not happy. You make me miserable.
Amy: Sorry.
Patrick: We’re married, but I don’t think you love me.
Amy: What do you want from me?
Patrick: I want you to love me on our wedding day.
Amy: I have to. I married you.
Patrick: But when you love somebody, you should show it – I should see it.
Amy: That’s the woman you’re marrying. If I don’t suit you, we’ll get a divorce.
Patrick: See! Exactly! What did I tell you. If you loved me, you wouldn’t say that.
Amy: Maybe if you stopped talking about it, it’ll just happen.
Patrick: All right – (crying) – just try to love me a little.
Amy: I’ll do my best but it’s (turning to him) you’re crying.
(Patrick exits quickly.)
Newhouse: You don’t look like the happy bride.
Amy: I don’t think that’s possible.
Newhouse: What would make you happy?
Amy: You’re going to make me cry.
Newhouse: Tears can be beautiful.